It's becoming a habit

Shutout of Mexico puts U.S. in 5th straight World Cup

World Cup Qualifier United States 2, Mexico 0

September 04, 2005|By Bob Foltman, Tribune staff reporter

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The World Cup finals, long a pipe dream for the U.S. men's soccer program, has become an expected destination.

The United States booked passage to Germany next summer for the final round of the world's most prestigious soccer tournament Saturday night with a 2-0 victory over archrival Mexico before a fanatical crowd of 24,685 at Columbus Crew Stadium.

FOR THE RECORD - This story contains corrected material, published Sept. 8, 2005.

For the Americans, it's the fifth straight appearance in the finals, four coming by virtue of the arduous two-year qualifying process. In 1994, the U.S. qualified as the host country.

It's also the first time since 1934 that the U.S. has been the first team from the North American region to qualify for the finals.

"Our experiences in the last couple years have been valuable," U.S. coach Bruce Arena said. "Our guys know how to win big games."

Two goals in a five-minute span early in the second half keyed the victory and continued the American's mastery of its southern rival, against which it has gone 7-2-1 in the last 10 meetings.

After a first half in which Mexico controlled play for the last 25 to 30 minutes, the United States pressed the attack early in the second half.

In the 53rd minute, the United States had a free kick from about 25 yards from the Mexico goal. Eddie Lewis sent the kick into the box where defender Oguchi Onyewu headed the ball that caromed off the left post. The rebound went right to Steve Ralston (the name as published has been corrected in this text), who nodded home the opening goal.

"It was probably the easiest goal I've ever scored," Ralston said. "I was in the right place at the right time."

The second goal also came off a set piece. With a corner kick, former Fire midfielder DaMarcus Beasley lined up alongside Landon Donovan. When Donovan played the ball out to Claudio Reyna, Beasley broke into the Mexican penalty area.

Reyna found Beasley, who superbly struck a left-footed shot into the far corner to send the crowd into delirium and the United States to Germany.

"In a tight game you have to jump on any opportunity you get," Arena said.

Beasley was a question mark coming into the game because of injury and was expected to only play a half. But it has become clear that the Ft. Wayne native, along with Donovan, is critical to U.S. hopes for success next summer.